By 2040, the number of Americans ages 65 and older is predicted to outnumber children

for the first time in U.S. history. That trend is expected to continue with elders projected to

comprise nearly 24 percent of the total population by 2060. Doctors and caregivers know

that continuing joyful experiences, and staying active later in life, is important for maintaining

cognitive, emotional and physical health.

This Spotlight shares examples of land trusts that recognize that as people age in their communities they need

new ways to connect with the lands and waters they love. With an aging population, and the need to serve people

from all walks of life, you might consider how your land trust can find ways to help elders connect to the places,

experiences and memories they cherish.

Engaging Elders...

Access to the Outdoors

Genesee Land Trust

Driftless Area Land Conservancy *— WI

Providing complementary programs

designed for elders to experience

area farms and wildlife areas is part

of the community work of the land

trust. The programs include taking

tractor/wagon rides, walks along

trails compatible with mobility

challenges and/or programs indoors.

In addition, the land trust provides

programs free of charge related to

planned giving and conservation

options. “We believe that access to

nature, farms and the out-of-doors

is important in all stages of life. Many

of our members love that we do this,”

notes Dave Clutter, executive director.

• Staff: 5.5 FTE | .75 FTE for programs

• driftlessconservancy.org

Genesee Land Trust *— NY

The Thomas R. Frey Trail at El Camino is a rail-trail owned by the city

that has become more than a trail. Now it’s a popular walking and

biking venue in one of Rochester’s more economically stressed

neighborhoods that connects people to the outdoors and to

each other.

Under the leadership of a local nurse, El Camino became the home

base for Conkey Cruisers, a creative neighborhood bicycling, fitness

and health program that inspires neighborhood youth and elders to

get outside and exercise to develop a healthy lifestyle. It also builds

community recognition and pride.

It is also the setting for Genesee Land Trust’s Apprentice Program

providing a first summer job for youth focused on conservation

and stewardship of the trail, and El Camino Play, a summer

program for youth with games, arts and free lunches supervised

by neighborhood volunteers and Project HOPE staff.

• Partners: Conkey Cruisers, Ibero-American Action League, Project HOPE, City of Rochester

• Staff: 3.5 FTE | All involved in programming

• geneseelandtrust.org

Driftless Area Land Conservancy

2 Community Conservation • Engaging Elders

Wintonbury Land Trust — CT

A 140-acre open space owned by

the Town of Bloomfield comprised of

farm, forest and pastures is adjacent

to Duncaster Retirement Community.

Ironwood Community Partners

and the Wintonbury Land Trust (WLT)

are promoting a ¾-mile universally

accessible trail system on this open

space with the goal of connecting

Duncaster residents to the 140-acre

parcel and other WLT properties

through linking trails.

• Partners: Duncaster Retirement Community, Ironwood Community Partners

• All-volunteer land trust

• wintonburylandtrust.org

Hilltown Land Trust — MA

Hilltown Land Trust partners with a local organization, All Out

Adventures (AOA), to host events/programs that get people with

mobility challenges outside in a fun, safe and interactive manner.

AOA’s mission is to “promote health, community and independence

for people with disabilities and their family and friends through

outdoor recreation.”

“It’s outstanding; people see us—and conservation—in a whole new

way,” said Katie Carr, TerraCorps community engagement coordinator.

• Partner: All Out Adventures, alloutadventures.org

• Staff: .75 FTE, 2 TerraCorps members

• hilltown-land-trust.org

“The partnership fostered discussions about accessibility and what we can do differently to better serve the needs of everyone in our community.”— Katie Carr, TerraCorps community engagement coordinator

Hilltown Land Trust© All Out Adventures

Community Conservation • Engaging Elders 3

Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association — VT

The land trust hosts an annual “Accessibility Day” for those who

otherwise would be unable to reach the views and/or summit of the

Pinnacle (part of a 2,000-acre ridgeline conservation project by the

group). For adults who have difficulty walking, this is the chance to

visit—perhaps with a grandchild or friend—a spot that would have

been otherwise impossible.

A local auto dealership provides a four-wheel drive vehicle, and

board members provide other appropriate vehicles to navigate

access to the logging and/or rough access road to a lookout point.

Others bring food and drinks.

• Partners: Local car dealership, volunteers

• All-volunteer land trust

• windmillhillpinnacle.org

Enhanced Accessibility

Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association

“This is one of our most popular programs. It’s a great way to show we care.” — Tony Coven, board member, program leader, Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association

Santa Fe Conservation Trust* — NM

An inclusive community stakeholder process urged the land trust to use its legacy of trail work to benefit a wide range of community groups.

As a result the land trust and its partners created a series of walks for different constituents.

With the help of the City’s Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator and wellness coordinator, they arranged a special monthly walk for seniors and those with disabilities who can’t or don’t get out very often, which connects them to the outdoors and to each other.

• Partners: City of Santa Fe, many others

• Staff: 4 FTE | 1 FTE for program

• sfct.org

Santa Fe Conservation Trust

4 Community Conservation • Engaging Elders

Audubon groups and other wildlife organizations are working to

provide programming to elder homes and facilities in a manner that

enriches the lives of those who live there. In today’s nursing homes

and assisted living facilities, more than half the residents may have

some level of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia and struggle

to stay connected to their surroundings.

“Nature is one of our best medicines,” said Audubon President and

CEO David Yarnold. “The Bird Tales program brings peace and joy

to people living with dementia by connecting them with the healing

power of birds. And at the same time, by encouraging facilities

managers to create bird-friendly habitats, the program gives

birds a boost, too.”

Research has documented that birds, particularly the sounds of birds,

can benefit Alzheimer’s patients and those facing cognitive decline.

Ken Elkins, education programs

manager for the Audubon Center

Bent of the River in Connecticut, trains

people throughout the United States,

Canada and the United Kingdom.

He looks forward to working with

additional land trusts.

Staff or volunteers bring photos, songs,

stuffed birds or “ambassador birds” to

the elder homes; programs also work

with the facilities to develop outdoor

garden areas for nature watching.

• Partners: Elder-home facilities, healthcare providers, Audubon chapters, local Alzheimer’s Association, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

• Staff and volunteers

• Audubon contact: Ken Elkins, kelkins@audubon.org

• ct.audubon.org/bird-tales

For land trusts interested in replicating the program, a new guidebook

is available: Bird Tales: A Program for Engaging People with Dementia

through the Natural World of Birds.

Bring the Outside Indoors

Audubon Society — Centers and Chapters in CT, MD, TX, WY

Delaware Valley Raptor Center – Milford, PA

© Bob Sacha

Community Conservation • Engaging Elders 5

Kestrel Land Trust* — MA

Kestrel Land Trust is collaborating

with active elders at two retirement

communities in the Pioneer Valley

of Massachusetts: Lathrop and

Applewood.

So far programs with residents

have included creating garden beds,

removing invasive species, planting

trees, birding at breakfast and even

gentle yoga. Kestrel hopes to engage

these older folks in the protection of

open space close to home, as part

of a network of conservation lands

across the region that are welcoming

to all ages and all abilities.

• Partners: Lathrop and Applewood retirement communities

• Staff: 7 FTE

• kestreltrust.org

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy* — MI

The Bow in the Clouds property got its name from the donors—

the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph—who reference the

rainbow after the Great Flood, as a promise to care for the Earth.

The Sisters turned it over to Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy

(SWMLC) because they were getting older and were concerned for

its long-term stewardship. SWMLC has been working with them and

diverse partners on habitat management and improving access for

the Sisters and many others in the community.

• Partners: Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph, several youth based nonprofits in Kalamazoo’s eastside neighborhood, other volunteers

• Staff: 7 FTE, 2 PTE | 2 FTE for program

• swmlc.org

“Providing access to connect to nature, for all ages, is part of our work and legacy.”

— Peter D. Ter Louw, SWMLC Executive Director

Faith and Retirement Communities

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy Lathrop Retirement Community© Lathrop Communities

6 Community Conservation • Engaging Elders

Alachua Conservation Trust* — FL

Alachua Conservation Trust

partnered with Conservation Burial

Inc. to create a natural burial ground

within the land trust’s Prairie Creek

Preserve. Prairie Creek Conservation

Cemetery is a fully licensed cemetery

that uses its burial fees to reinvest

in land acquisition, protection,

restoration and management.

• Staff: 9 FTE | 2 FTE, 2 PTE for Conservation Cemetery

• alachuaconservationtrust.org

There are many elders and their families that want to consider how their end-of-life planning reflects their

values. Just as estate planning is helpful for many, now increasingly is the option of finding a final resting place

that is beautiful and cares for the land. As a result, a growing number of land trusts are considering how they

can support, or undertake, green burial programs.

End-of-Life PlanningConservation and Green Burial

“I was struck immediately with the ‘rightness’ of the [conservation burial] concept. It sounded perfect!”

— Marge Thomas, Wilderness Center member

The Wilderness Center, Foxfield Preserve — OH

Foxfield Preserve is a nonprofit conservation burial ground operated

by The Wilderness Center, a nonprofit nature center and land trust.

This project was the first nature preserve cemetery in Ohio and

the first in the nation operated by a conservation organization.

Beyond allowing a burial free of embalming chemicals and without

the need for concrete vaults and steel caskets, Foxfield Preserve also

restores natural land for future generations to enjoy. Functioning as a

nature preserve first, it provides the community with the legacy of a

beautiful retreat and a refuge for wildlife.

Burial at Foxfield Preserve supports the mission of The Wilderness

Center, which connects the community with nature, educates people

of all ages, conserves natural resources and practices land stewardship.

• Staff: 8 FTE, 8 PTE | 1 FTE, 1 PTE to manage Foxfield Preserve

• foxfieldpreserve.org

For additional information on

possible partnerships, the pros and

cons, costs, skills and land needed

for Green and/or Conservation

Burial Grounds see:

Green Burial Councilgreenburialcouncil.org

LANDMATTERS thelandmatters.com

Better Place Forestsbetterplaceforests.com

. . .

Community Conservation • Engaging Elders 7

Six Tips for Engaging Elders

“People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” —Maya Angelou

1. Research has documented that outdoor experiences, close to home, are important

for everyone; these experiences can be even

more helpful as people age and have fewer

resources or ability to travel farther away

to experience nature, farms and ranches.

2. Assess what outdoor experiences in your community are available to elders at different

stages of their lives, interests and cultures.

Look for what might prevent them from

experiencing the lands and waters they love.

3. Find out what people need. Talk to elders

who are not participating in your programs

or outdoor spaces; brainstorm with

organizations serving the elderly; consider

inter-generational access and programs.

Don’t make assumptions about people’s

capacity, interest or way they would like

to interact with the outdoors.

4. Enhance specific trails and programs for different mobility levels. Elders, as well as

others, may want to bring other people, or

dogs, with them for company and safety.

People with strollers, those with mobility

challenges or medical conditions can also

benefit from all-access trails.

Plan for resting spots, surface materials and

interpretive signage appropriate to visitors.

5. Consider ways to bring the “outside in” like the Audubon Program described in this Spotlight.

6. Evaluate the role of volunteers; consider

possible partnerships and how they might

expand your capacity and impact. If you do

use volunteers or partners, recognize that

these programs are relationship-based—

you are using conservation as a tool to enrich

lives and learn about those you are serving.

Be sure to capture personal impact stories.

Interested in other tips, examples, and suggestions? Go to the Land Trust Alliance’s website at www.lta.org/community-conservation

Do you have a program or project to spotlight? Email communityconservation@lta.org

1250 H Street NW, Suite 600 Washington DC 20005

(202) 638-4725 info@lta.org www.landtrustalliance.org

Join the conversation Community Conservation Learning Network forum on the Learning Center https://tlc.lta.org/CCLNforum

A special thank you to... Funding provided in part by Nordlys Foundation. Research by Collin Adkins, Deb Bicknell, Deb Chapman, Melissa Levy and Kathy Reiser.

Produced in partnership with Judy Anderson of Community Consultants (community-consultants.com) and Dorene Warner of W Design (wdesigngroup.com).

*Denotes accredited land trust. See landtrustaccreditation.org